SHOWDOWN
The Dark Doctor stepped forward, offering a round of applause. "Well done, Doctor. I couldn't have done better myself."
"Flattery will get you nowhere," the Doctor observed. "I had a feeling you would be here."
"Yes, that's the trouble with being you. We think along the same lines."
The Doctor bristled. "You're not me. You're just an aspect of me - an indication of what I might become."
His dark persona nodded. "But isn't it a fascinating conundrum. Two Doctors, both different and yet the same." He turned to the Master. "It must be curious for you, having two mortal enemies to choose from."
The Master shook his head. "I only see that you are evil, an abomination to be eradicated."
"What?" The Dark Doctor could not believe his ears. "You side with . . . with him?" indicating the Doctor.
"Naturally. Your claim to the Doctor's life carries no validity."
The Doctor smiled at his counterpart's confusion. "As you say, a fascinating conundrum. But one which you will lose." His voice held a grim tone. "I have seen the future, and I know that your anomalous existence cannot be allowed to continue."
His dark persona laughed. "And how do you intend to stop me, Doctor? You, a third rate graduate at the Academy. You, who are so insufferably good. Look at what I have accomplished in so short a time. To shape the universe - now that's an achievement!"
The Doctor slowly advanced. "It's because of your 'achievements' that you must be stopped. Even a minor glitch in time can have ramifications so terrible that they cannot be corrected. Without you, at least the universe has a fighting chance to strike out on it's own. Yes, there may be war and conflict, but it will be on their terms. And the universe will survive. It deserves to."
Sarah and the Master fell in step, either side of him. "And we will stop you," Sarah promised.
"We must," added the Master.
The Dark Doctor stared at each of them in turn. "And how will you stop me?"
The Doctor raised his right hand. "Like this." He thrust his hand into the Dark Doctor's chest, passing into him with no exterior wound. The Dark Doctor looked down, stupefied. "The merging? Oh no. No!" He began to struggle against the mental connection established by the Doctor, as bands of energy streamed through his body, seeking to hold him down. "No! You cannot!"
"I have to," the Doctor replied. "This is." He was suddenly pushed to one side, as a bolt of energy passed by his head. Spinning around, he saw two lumbering Yeti approaching from behind. It was the Master, he realised, who had saved his life, pushed clear of the path of their laser weapons. Sarah was beside him, as they watched the Master draw his tissue compressor and fire on the advancing robots.
As their bodies compressed, their apertures closed around the control spheres, crushing them to nothing. 'At least they had never really been alive to start with,' the Doctor mused.
The danger passed, the Master dusted himself down. "Are you alright, both of you?"
"Yes, thanks for . . ." the Doctor looked around. The distraction had caused the merging to be broken, and of the Dark Doctor there was now no sign. In the distance they could here the dematerialisation of his TARDIS. "He's escaped again!"
"But he must be weakened," Sarah pointed out.
"Weak and desperate," the Doctor realised, "which gives us an added advantage." He felt in his pockets for the spatial anomoliser, relieved that it was still there, and undamaged. "Right. We have the components. We now have to put my TARDIS back together."
"But you still don't have a power source," the Master reminded him.
"I think we can lay our hands on an alternative," the Doctor answered mysteriously.
*****
Inside the Master's TARDIS, a blue Police Box was finally taking shape. With the spatial anomoliser fitted, the internal dimensions could now be recalibrated. Inside, the familiar hexagonal control console was in place. "Not to worry, old girl," the Doctor assured his ship. "We'll soon have you up and running."
Now that his TARDIS was once again travelling through the vortex, the Master had now recovered from his personality change. "It's strange," he commented. "I remember everything perfectly; leading the search for the component, saving the Doctor's life. Extraordinary."
"Would you have done anything differently, if you had been yourself?" Sarah asked.
His smile masked his true thoughts. "My dear Miss Smith, I can only answer that with an old Earth saying - 'that's for me to know and for you to find out.'"
"Fair enough." Sarah looked up as the Doctor came out from the TARDIS. "How's it going?"
"All finished," he declared. "All we need now is a power source."
"You suggested a possible alternative, if I recall," the Master noted.
"Yes, and I'll need your help. Can you track my counterpart's TARDIS?"
"Simplicity itself," the Master replied. "The signature is the same as your own."
"Good. Let me know when you get close."
"Doctor, what are you up to?" Sarah asked.
"All in good time, Sarah," was his only reply.
*****
Once the Master had located the fleeing TARDIS, he quickly made a series of short cuts through the vortex to reduce the distance. Presently he was satisfied. "Doctor?"
He joined the Master at the console. "You've got him?"
"Right on his tail, you might say. Now, what do you want me to do?"
"I want you to materialise my TARDIS around the same space occupied by my dark counterpart," the Doctor replied.
The Master was shocked. "You'd be committing suicide. Two TARDIS' cannot exist in one space."
"I know that," the Doctor snapped, "but he doesn't yet have full corporeal existence, and like their respective owners, our TARDIS' are two sides of the same coin."
"Oh, I get it," Sarah realised. "His TARDIS is non corporeal with a power source, and yours is fully solidified but lacking power."
"Exactly, Sarah," the Doctor smiled. "The discrepancies on each side should cancel each other out."
The Master was still doubtful. "It's still a risk."
"Maybe," Sarah said. "But it's either this, or the other Doctor wreaks havoc on the entire universe."
The Master looked at her. "Miss Smith, you have an annoying habit of stating the painfully obvious." He turned to the Doctor. "Very well. The internal and external dimensions are stable, so theoretically it is possible."
"Then let's start putting theory into practice." As the Master began to pre-set the controls, the Doctor turned to Sarah. "You know how dangerous this is?"
She nodded. "Two TARDIS' in one point of space? It won't be easy."
"Which is why I can't risk your life," he told her. "I have to do this alone."
Sarah gulped. "And leave me here with the Master?"
The Doctor gave her an encouraging smile. "Well, he needs looking after."
The Master looked up from his task. "If you're ready, Doctor? We have dematerialisation in ten seconds."
"I'm ready," the Doctor nodded. "Look after Sarah."
"I shall keep her safe, I promise you." The Doctor entered his TARDIS and braced himself at the console. This would not be an easy journey.
The Master threw a switch and the Doctor's TARDIS vanished from the console room. "Will he be alright?" Sarah asked.
"We can only hope, Miss Smith," the Master replied. "Right now, the Doctor is on his own."
*****
The Doctor saw the walls of his console room suddenly become a blur as the two versions of the TARDIS tried to co-exist in the same part of the vortex. Like a strange form of double vision, the two console rooms seemed to swim around each other. Then the Doctor fixed his gaze on the other figure in the console room. The Dark Doctor stood holding firmly on to the console, his eyes fixed on his counterpart, his black clothes billowing around as the temporal wind tore through him.
"So this is how it ends," said the Dark Doctor.
The Doctor moved closer to his other self until they were face to face, holding on to each other and the console for support against the winds. "Yes. Neither of us have won, but we shall be as one. Your plans will be stopped and the universe will be restored."
"But the stains of my manipulations will remain a part of you forever, growing more powerful with every incarnation," the Dark Doctor insisted. "And one day, perhaps in your sixth, seventh or even thirteenth life I will assert myself even more strongly and you will not recognise yourself anymore."
The Doctor would not be swayed. "Never! I may change, but my spirit will remain true."
"Perhaps. We shall see. If that is the case then possibly one day I will finally break free again." A thought occurred. "I'd have to chose a new name, though. 'Doctor' is far too 'goody two shoes' a name for me."
"Indeed," the Doctor agreed. "Why not something with a legal ring to it? The Solicitor perhaps?"
Then suddenly the console room was still and the Doctor was alone.
He could feel a change in himself. He could feel the darkness wrapped around his hearts in a way it never had before. He knew he was going to change and he did not want Sarah to see him change - it would spoil things. In that moment he decided that at the next opportunity he would find an excuse to take her home. That would spare her the pain.
*****
They were back where they had started. Back on that same field in the English countryside. The previously affected timelines had now been set back on their correct path.
"Well, Doctor," the Master noted, "we certainly live in exciting times."
"I won't disagree with you there." Their words were heartfelt. It had been a long time since they had worked together, and now both felt strangely at a loss for words. "So, what happens now?"
The Master smiled. "I think it best if we make our farewells, don't you?"
"If you're sure?"
The Master hesitated briefly. "After our recent escapades, I might have been tempted, but I chose my path a long time ago. I could not turn back now."
The Doctor nodded. "I understand. So, we part as allies . . ."
". . . and the next time our paths cross, we shall be on opposing sides once more." He turned to Sarah. "Miss Smith, it has been a pleasure." He took her hand and kissed it.
Sarah was so surprised by his actions that she actually blushed. "Take care." She couldn't think of what else to say.
The Master accepted her wishes with good grace, and turned to the Doctor. Farewell, Doctor. Until we meet again." The Doctor raised his hand in a form of salute, as the sound of dematerialisation signalled the Master's departure. Within seconds, he was gone.
The Doctor stared at the empty space. "You know, Sarah, things could have been so different between us."
She was curious about something. "Doctor?"
"Hmm?"
"How did things get so bad between you and the Master?"
"Well, he was always so competitive, even at the Academy. We both wanted the same things, but he chose a different way to achieve them, becoming more ruthless as time went on."
Sarah nodded. "Mmm. He seemed quite nice, actually."
"Nice?" he exploded. "Nice? I'll have you know that the Master is the most despicable, most vile, most . . ."
"Obnoxious?"
"Yes! No! I mean . . ." then he caught the look Sarah gave him. "Well, he's alright I suppose - on a good day." They both burst out laughing. The Web of Time had been saved, and all was right with the world.
"So what now?" Sarah wondered.
"Well," the Doctor suggested, "we're back on Earth, in your own time. You could go home, if you really want to."
"Aw, come on, Doctor," she protested. "There's a whole universe to see out there."
The Doctor hesitated. Knowing what his future held, he was reluctant to endanger Sarah's life needlessly. Of all his travelling companions, she was the one who knew him best, and he did not want to jeopardise their friendship. But then he saw the glint in her eye, and he knew he could not refuse her. "Alright," he conceded. "Just one last time."
Sarah grinned. "That's good enough for me, Doctor."
The Dark Doctor stepped forward, offering a round of applause. "Well done, Doctor. I couldn't have done better myself."
"Flattery will get you nowhere," the Doctor observed. "I had a feeling you would be here."
"Yes, that's the trouble with being you. We think along the same lines."
The Doctor bristled. "You're not me. You're just an aspect of me - an indication of what I might become."
His dark persona nodded. "But isn't it a fascinating conundrum. Two Doctors, both different and yet the same." He turned to the Master. "It must be curious for you, having two mortal enemies to choose from."
The Master shook his head. "I only see that you are evil, an abomination to be eradicated."
"What?" The Dark Doctor could not believe his ears. "You side with . . . with him?" indicating the Doctor.
"Naturally. Your claim to the Doctor's life carries no validity."
The Doctor smiled at his counterpart's confusion. "As you say, a fascinating conundrum. But one which you will lose." His voice held a grim tone. "I have seen the future, and I know that your anomalous existence cannot be allowed to continue."
His dark persona laughed. "And how do you intend to stop me, Doctor? You, a third rate graduate at the Academy. You, who are so insufferably good. Look at what I have accomplished in so short a time. To shape the universe - now that's an achievement!"
The Doctor slowly advanced. "It's because of your 'achievements' that you must be stopped. Even a minor glitch in time can have ramifications so terrible that they cannot be corrected. Without you, at least the universe has a fighting chance to strike out on it's own. Yes, there may be war and conflict, but it will be on their terms. And the universe will survive. It deserves to."
Sarah and the Master fell in step, either side of him. "And we will stop you," Sarah promised.
"We must," added the Master.
The Dark Doctor stared at each of them in turn. "And how will you stop me?"
The Doctor raised his right hand. "Like this." He thrust his hand into the Dark Doctor's chest, passing into him with no exterior wound. The Dark Doctor looked down, stupefied. "The merging? Oh no. No!" He began to struggle against the mental connection established by the Doctor, as bands of energy streamed through his body, seeking to hold him down. "No! You cannot!"
"I have to," the Doctor replied. "This is." He was suddenly pushed to one side, as a bolt of energy passed by his head. Spinning around, he saw two lumbering Yeti approaching from behind. It was the Master, he realised, who had saved his life, pushed clear of the path of their laser weapons. Sarah was beside him, as they watched the Master draw his tissue compressor and fire on the advancing robots.
As their bodies compressed, their apertures closed around the control spheres, crushing them to nothing. 'At least they had never really been alive to start with,' the Doctor mused.
The danger passed, the Master dusted himself down. "Are you alright, both of you?"
"Yes, thanks for . . ." the Doctor looked around. The distraction had caused the merging to be broken, and of the Dark Doctor there was now no sign. In the distance they could here the dematerialisation of his TARDIS. "He's escaped again!"
"But he must be weakened," Sarah pointed out.
"Weak and desperate," the Doctor realised, "which gives us an added advantage." He felt in his pockets for the spatial anomoliser, relieved that it was still there, and undamaged. "Right. We have the components. We now have to put my TARDIS back together."
"But you still don't have a power source," the Master reminded him.
"I think we can lay our hands on an alternative," the Doctor answered mysteriously.
*****
Inside the Master's TARDIS, a blue Police Box was finally taking shape. With the spatial anomoliser fitted, the internal dimensions could now be recalibrated. Inside, the familiar hexagonal control console was in place. "Not to worry, old girl," the Doctor assured his ship. "We'll soon have you up and running."
Now that his TARDIS was once again travelling through the vortex, the Master had now recovered from his personality change. "It's strange," he commented. "I remember everything perfectly; leading the search for the component, saving the Doctor's life. Extraordinary."
"Would you have done anything differently, if you had been yourself?" Sarah asked.
His smile masked his true thoughts. "My dear Miss Smith, I can only answer that with an old Earth saying - 'that's for me to know and for you to find out.'"
"Fair enough." Sarah looked up as the Doctor came out from the TARDIS. "How's it going?"
"All finished," he declared. "All we need now is a power source."
"You suggested a possible alternative, if I recall," the Master noted.
"Yes, and I'll need your help. Can you track my counterpart's TARDIS?"
"Simplicity itself," the Master replied. "The signature is the same as your own."
"Good. Let me know when you get close."
"Doctor, what are you up to?" Sarah asked.
"All in good time, Sarah," was his only reply.
*****
Once the Master had located the fleeing TARDIS, he quickly made a series of short cuts through the vortex to reduce the distance. Presently he was satisfied. "Doctor?"
He joined the Master at the console. "You've got him?"
"Right on his tail, you might say. Now, what do you want me to do?"
"I want you to materialise my TARDIS around the same space occupied by my dark counterpart," the Doctor replied.
The Master was shocked. "You'd be committing suicide. Two TARDIS' cannot exist in one space."
"I know that," the Doctor snapped, "but he doesn't yet have full corporeal existence, and like their respective owners, our TARDIS' are two sides of the same coin."
"Oh, I get it," Sarah realised. "His TARDIS is non corporeal with a power source, and yours is fully solidified but lacking power."
"Exactly, Sarah," the Doctor smiled. "The discrepancies on each side should cancel each other out."
The Master was still doubtful. "It's still a risk."
"Maybe," Sarah said. "But it's either this, or the other Doctor wreaks havoc on the entire universe."
The Master looked at her. "Miss Smith, you have an annoying habit of stating the painfully obvious." He turned to the Doctor. "Very well. The internal and external dimensions are stable, so theoretically it is possible."
"Then let's start putting theory into practice." As the Master began to pre-set the controls, the Doctor turned to Sarah. "You know how dangerous this is?"
She nodded. "Two TARDIS' in one point of space? It won't be easy."
"Which is why I can't risk your life," he told her. "I have to do this alone."
Sarah gulped. "And leave me here with the Master?"
The Doctor gave her an encouraging smile. "Well, he needs looking after."
The Master looked up from his task. "If you're ready, Doctor? We have dematerialisation in ten seconds."
"I'm ready," the Doctor nodded. "Look after Sarah."
"I shall keep her safe, I promise you." The Doctor entered his TARDIS and braced himself at the console. This would not be an easy journey.
The Master threw a switch and the Doctor's TARDIS vanished from the console room. "Will he be alright?" Sarah asked.
"We can only hope, Miss Smith," the Master replied. "Right now, the Doctor is on his own."
*****
The Doctor saw the walls of his console room suddenly become a blur as the two versions of the TARDIS tried to co-exist in the same part of the vortex. Like a strange form of double vision, the two console rooms seemed to swim around each other. Then the Doctor fixed his gaze on the other figure in the console room. The Dark Doctor stood holding firmly on to the console, his eyes fixed on his counterpart, his black clothes billowing around as the temporal wind tore through him.
"So this is how it ends," said the Dark Doctor.
The Doctor moved closer to his other self until they were face to face, holding on to each other and the console for support against the winds. "Yes. Neither of us have won, but we shall be as one. Your plans will be stopped and the universe will be restored."
"But the stains of my manipulations will remain a part of you forever, growing more powerful with every incarnation," the Dark Doctor insisted. "And one day, perhaps in your sixth, seventh or even thirteenth life I will assert myself even more strongly and you will not recognise yourself anymore."
The Doctor would not be swayed. "Never! I may change, but my spirit will remain true."
"Perhaps. We shall see. If that is the case then possibly one day I will finally break free again." A thought occurred. "I'd have to chose a new name, though. 'Doctor' is far too 'goody two shoes' a name for me."
"Indeed," the Doctor agreed. "Why not something with a legal ring to it? The Solicitor perhaps?"
Then suddenly the console room was still and the Doctor was alone.
He could feel a change in himself. He could feel the darkness wrapped around his hearts in a way it never had before. He knew he was going to change and he did not want Sarah to see him change - it would spoil things. In that moment he decided that at the next opportunity he would find an excuse to take her home. That would spare her the pain.
*****
They were back where they had started. Back on that same field in the English countryside. The previously affected timelines had now been set back on their correct path.
"Well, Doctor," the Master noted, "we certainly live in exciting times."
"I won't disagree with you there." Their words were heartfelt. It had been a long time since they had worked together, and now both felt strangely at a loss for words. "So, what happens now?"
The Master smiled. "I think it best if we make our farewells, don't you?"
"If you're sure?"
The Master hesitated briefly. "After our recent escapades, I might have been tempted, but I chose my path a long time ago. I could not turn back now."
The Doctor nodded. "I understand. So, we part as allies . . ."
". . . and the next time our paths cross, we shall be on opposing sides once more." He turned to Sarah. "Miss Smith, it has been a pleasure." He took her hand and kissed it.
Sarah was so surprised by his actions that she actually blushed. "Take care." She couldn't think of what else to say.
The Master accepted her wishes with good grace, and turned to the Doctor. Farewell, Doctor. Until we meet again." The Doctor raised his hand in a form of salute, as the sound of dematerialisation signalled the Master's departure. Within seconds, he was gone.
The Doctor stared at the empty space. "You know, Sarah, things could have been so different between us."
She was curious about something. "Doctor?"
"Hmm?"
"How did things get so bad between you and the Master?"
"Well, he was always so competitive, even at the Academy. We both wanted the same things, but he chose a different way to achieve them, becoming more ruthless as time went on."
Sarah nodded. "Mmm. He seemed quite nice, actually."
"Nice?" he exploded. "Nice? I'll have you know that the Master is the most despicable, most vile, most . . ."
"Obnoxious?"
"Yes! No! I mean . . ." then he caught the look Sarah gave him. "Well, he's alright I suppose - on a good day." They both burst out laughing. The Web of Time had been saved, and all was right with the world.
"So what now?" Sarah wondered.
"Well," the Doctor suggested, "we're back on Earth, in your own time. You could go home, if you really want to."
"Aw, come on, Doctor," she protested. "There's a whole universe to see out there."
The Doctor hesitated. Knowing what his future held, he was reluctant to endanger Sarah's life needlessly. Of all his travelling companions, she was the one who knew him best, and he did not want to jeopardise their friendship. But then he saw the glint in her eye, and he knew he could not refuse her. "Alright," he conceded. "Just one last time."
Sarah grinned. "That's good enough for me, Doctor."